When you need to capture ideas while lounging by the pool or on a road trip, these note-taking tablets are perfect for summer. They combine the feel of handwriting with the convenience of cloud syncing. Plus, they’re ultra-portable.
We tested tablets across all the major brands to find options that suit both students enjoying summer breaks and professionals sneaking out for a vacation. Some of these models can replace a laptop, while others are ideal for jotting notes on the go. We judged all of these tablets on performance, battery life, display, and writing experience.
What is the best writing tablet you can buy right now?
ZDNET went hands-on with the following tablets, with our pick for the best note-taking tablet overall being the iPad Air, thanks to its lightweight build and compatibility with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil. But we also included tablets from Boox, Amazon, and more to take digital notes on.
Also: The best tablets for students in 2025
The best note-taking tablets of 2025
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Why we like it: The lightweight tablet can do everything — including taking notes. While this isn’t the latest version of the iPad Air, we chose this one since it costs less and has many of the same features as the M2 iPad Air, albeit a slightly slower processor. But for taking notes, this iPad Air is the way to go.
It’s compatible with the Apple Pencil (second generation), making it easy to take notes in class or meetings and watch seminars virtually if needed. Apple’s products are largely customizable, and this is no different: you can opt for one of five colors and get more or less storage depending on what you need.
Who it’s for: Even Android fans will like Apple’s iPad Air. Plus, as we said in our review, the iPad Air “is as powerful as the iPad Pro, but costs hundreds of dollars less.”
Review: Apple iPad Air (5th generation)
In addition, for students or professionals who might need to use their tablets while on the go often, a cellular data plan option ensures you can always get online to access.
Who should look elsewhere: At $699 (even though it’s not even the latest generation), it’s an expensive note-taking tablet, so if budget is a key factor for you, you might want to consider other options.
iPad Air (5th generation) tech specs: Display: 10.9-inch Retina display | Processor: Apple Silicon M1 | Storage: 64GB or 256GB | Biometrics: Touch ID | Colors: Space gray, starlight, pink, purple, blue | Cameras: 12MP rear, 4K video. 12MP Ultra Wide camera | Weight: 1.02 pounds | Dimensions: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches | Connections: USB-C port | Battery life: 10 hours
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Why we like it: The Boox Note Air 4 C is a color e-ink tablet that is built for note-taking. The screen has a color 1240 x 930 (150 PPI) resolution and a 2480 x 1860 (300 PPI — the same as the Kindle Scribe) resolution in black and white. Plus, it’s super lightweight at just under a pound.
This tablet has all the best features of the top note-taking apps built right in: there are dozens of templates to use, audio recording, color-coding, inserting links and attachments to notes, and more. Plus, built-in artificial intelligence allows for text recognition, shape perfection, and a strike-through erase feature that makes erasing much easier.
Who it’s for: ZDNET writer Maria Diaz went hands-on with the tablet and called it “great for professionals and creatives.” “It’s not a productivity tablet or one to replace a laptop, but it is perfect for note-takers who like handwriting, journalers, reading enthusiasts, and even designers.”
Review: Boox Note Air 4 C
Plus, it has several features that make it a productivity machine. For example, there is a split-screen feature that allows you to switch between two different apps. Verified customers like the BOOXdrop feature, which allows you to easily send files to the tablet from your computer or smartphone to the tablet. It takes mere seconds, and you can annotate PDFs and other Word documents with ease.
Who should look elsewhere: If Android isn’t your jam, you probably won’t like the Boox Note Air 4 C, since it’s noticeably slower than a traditional tablet like the iPad.
Boox Note Air 4 C tech specs: Display: 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display | Processor: 8-core, 2 GHz | Storage: 64GB | Memory: 6GB | Colors: Black | Weight: 0.95 pounds | Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 x 0.23 inches | Connections: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 | Battery life: 3,700mAh Li-ion Polymer
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Why we like it: The Kindle Scribe is perhaps the perfect example of part e-reader, part tablet. It has the same functions you’ve come to know and love in a Kindle, like a 300 ppi glare-free screen, weeks of battery life, and adjustable warm light. It’s also compatible with Amazon’s Premium Pen, so you can take handwritten notes or underline important quotations within the book you’re reading.
Your notes are automatically organized in one place for every book so that you can browse, review, and export them via email. The Kindle Scribe also comes with preset templates to help you create notebooks, journals, and lists, and you can create sticky notes in Microsoft Word and other compatible Word documents.
Who it’s for: If you’re someone who likes taking notes in the books you’re reading, this note-taking tablet is for you. The new Active Canvas on the Kindle Scribe allows you to take notes and scribble your thoughts directly onto the pages of your book. ZDNET editor Kyle Kucharski put the Active Canvas to the test and appreciated the feature as an avid note-taker.
Review: Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)
“The cool design element here is that the notes you draw with the pan exist on another “layer” than the book text, allowing you to edit what you write without messing with the text in the book,” he wrote in his review.
In addition, if you’re someone with messy handwriting, the AI features can transcribe handwritten notes into text, making it easier to go back and read.
Who should look elsewhere: If you’re not someone who needs to scribble on the page or take a highlighter to what you’re reading, you might be better off with the reMarkable Paper Pro, which costs about the same and is a considered a more premium device.
Kindle Scribe tech specs: Display: 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display | Storage: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB | Weight: 0.96 pounds | Dimensions: 7.7 x 9.0 x 0.22 inches | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks (at 30 minutes per day)
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Why we like it: The reMarkable Paper Pro is an improvement from the reMarkable 2, and it’s clear developers took user suggestions to heart when they approached the design for the Paper Pro. Its aesthetic is premium and minimalist, with a larger color screen and adjustable backlight.
Review: reMarkable Paper Pro
Kyle Kucharski also went hands-on with the Paper Pro, and was especially impressed with the writing experience. “The pesky latency you often find when using a stylus is absent altogether here; there is zero lag between the motion of your hand and the line you’re drawing on the device’s screen, resulting in a realistic, enjoyable writing experience,” he wrote in his review.
Who it’s for: This device is for people looking to seriously lock into their productivity. The Paper Pro can’t browse the web, play videos, or edit your photos, but that’s the point. Instead, it takes a more disconnected approach to help you get what you need done with productivity tools like templates, workflow and app connections, and an additional Type Folio to combine handwriting and typing into one device.
Who should look elsewhere: This note-taking tablet looks and feels more high end, and has a high price tag to match. Plus, an additional subscription is required to access the full suite of useful features. If you’re budget is $500 or less, we recommend checking out a Boox tablet instead.
reMarkable Paper Pro specs: Display: 11.8-inch display with 2160 x 1620 resolution and 229 ppi | Processor: 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 | Storage: 64GB | Weight: 2.43 ounces | Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.8 inches | Connections: USB-C port | Battery life: Up to 14 days
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Why we like it: The Tab S10+ comes with 12GB of memory and 256GB or 512GB of storage, with the option to expand to up to 1TB of storage using microSD.. Inside the Tab S10+ is the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor.
Most importantly, the S10+ comes with an S Pen that you can use to write or draw on your favorite apps. New to the S10 lineup are Galaxy AI features that enhance your note-taking even further, like Note Assist, which allows you to transcribe, organize, and even summarize notes.
Who it’s for: If you want something to help with productivity, this tablet is for you. Diaz tested the S10 Ultra model (which has the same display and features but is larger and comes with more storage options), calling it one of the best productivity tablets, even when compared to the reMarkable 2 or iPad Pro.
Review: Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra
“These AI tools are enhanced by the included S Pen, Samsung’s IP68-rated Bluetooth stylus that offers high-precision sketching and writing,” she wrote in her review, adding, “I love using the S Pen to take notes and color on the tablet, but the AI tools, like Sketch-to-Image, are a new, fun way to make the most of this tool.”
Who should look elsewhere: This tablet is even more expensive than the iPad Air, starting at $1,300. Since it’s an investment, if you’re not looking for an all-in-one tablet or don’t care about the best and newest features or AI compatibility, you should think about the Boox Note Air 4 C, which is also an Android-run tablet but more “dumbed-down” than the S10 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ tech specs: Display: 12.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X 2560 x 1600 display | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ | Storage: 256GB, 512GB (up to 1.5TB with microSD) | Memory: 12GB | Colors: Moonstone gray and platinum silver | Cameras: Rear: 13MP main, 8MP ultrawide, Front: 12MP ultrawide | Weight: 1.27 pounds | Dimensions: 11.24 X 7.3 X 0.22 inches | Connectivity: 5G, LTE, W
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The best note-taking tablet is the iPad Air based on price, ratings, display, features, and more. It’s also super lightweight, making it the perfect choice to carry anywhere.
Note-taking Tablet | Price | Display | Pen/Stylus |
Apple iPad Air | $325 | 10.9-inch Retina display | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) |
Boox Note Air 4 C | $690 | 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display | BOOX Pen Plus |
Amazon Kindle Scribe | $450 | 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display | Amazon Premium Pen |
reMarkable Paper Pro | $629 | 11.8-inch 2160 x 1620 display | reMarkable Marker or Marker Plus |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ | $1,050 | 12.3-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X 2960 x 1848 display | S Pen |
*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
Choosing a tablet really comes down to what you want to use it for and what you want to spend. Basic tablets tend to be cheaper, so if you don’t plan to use them for much other than taking notes, you can look at spending a little less and getting something like an Amazon Fire Tablet.
However, if you want a tablet you can use for school and for everyday things like streaming, photo editing, and more, something like an iPad might be a better choice.
Choose this note-taking tablet… | If you want… |
Apple iPad Air | The best overall option. It’s as powerful as the iPad Pro but much lighter and less expensive. |
Boox Note Air 4 C | A lightweight note-taking tablet. It comes with dozens of templates to choose from and useful note-taking and productivity features. |
Amazon Kindle Scribe | A tablet and e-reader in one. You can make notes within the book(s) you are reading, as well as through apps like Microsoft Word. |
reMarkable Paper Pro | A high-end, premium note-taking tablet that puts productivity at the forefront of its purpose. |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 | A Samsung tablet for note-taking. An S Pen is included in the box. |
Before you buy a note-taking tablet, you’ll want to consider the following:
- Display: A tablet’s experience is largely based on its display, so pay attention to tablets with HD resolutions and even paper-like displays.
- Stylus compatibility: Most people use a stylus when taking notes on a tablet, so consider tablets that either come with a stylus right out of the box or have the option to buy one from the maker separately. It’s important to note most universal styluses will also work with these tablets.
- Size: Tablets that you will mainly use for note-taking purposes will have different requirements than tablets you need to replace a laptop with. Smaller size tablets are best for note-taking purposes and are lightweight and portable.
- Price: Tablets will vary in price from $150 all the way up to $1,000 or more, depending on storage capacity, display quality, processors, and more.
The ZDNET team chose all of the tablets included in this list based on their performance when tested in the real world. When we test tablets, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best.
- Display: We measure the brightness level in different lighting conditions and assess color accuracy.
We also compare the display’s performance with what the manufacturer promised, test the screen’s responsiveness to touch, and assess the performance of any extra features, like a manufacturer’s stylus.
Performance: For real-world performance metrics, our reviewers measure how quickly the tablet reacts to input, assess game performance and frame rates, test how the tablet handles having multiple apps running simultaneously, measure the time it takes to launch apps, and even assess the tablet’s temperature during intensive tasks.
- Battery life: We test different scenarios for battery life, including measuring how long the battery lasts while streaming, web browsing, using productivity apps, and playing games.
- Camera and audio: For cameras, we evaluate features like resolution, aperture, low-light performance, autofocus accuracy, dynamic range, color accuracy, image quality, sharpness, and video quality. For audio, we look at the sound quality and overall listening experience, including audio clarity at different volumes, stereo separation of left and right audio channels, maximum volume level in various environments, and if there is perceived distortion.
For a deeper look into our testing process, check out our comprehensive tablet testing methodology.
Latest news on writing tablets in 2025
A recent study commissioned by Remarkable and overseen by neuroscientist Dr Thomas Zoëga Ramsøy from the Copenhagen Business School showed that a digital tablet can actually contribute to productivity. The participants who worked on digital paper tablets (like the reMarkable Paper Pro, Amazon Kindle Scribe, or Boox Note Air 4 C) had 35% lower stress levels while completing their tasks than those who used computers, as well as a 30% reduction in cognitive load. Additionally, the study found that the participants who used tablets experienced 25% higher visual and verbal creativity, while maintaining 17% better memory recall.
It’s important to note that the sample size of the study was only 60 participants, and the fact that it was commissioned by Remarkable might suggest that the results could be skewed. However, the data was acquired via medically standard methods of measuring stress, namely electroencephalography (EEG) brain monitoring and heart-rate variability (HRV), making it a compelling argument for tablets over computers when it comes to being productive.
Many of our top picks can be considered digital notebooks over traditional tablets, and there is a unique difference. Traditional tablets like the iPad Air and Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra have all the capabilities of a computer, meaning they can browse the web, access software and programs like Photoshop, can take photos or videos, and are great for media consumption through apps.
Also: The best smart notebooks you can buy
On the other hand, a digital notebook like reMarkable Paper Pro or Boox Note Air 4 C still has a processor and storage like that of a tablet, but is more focused on the specific task of note-taking. These devices will feel more like paper thanks to a dedicated E-ink screen and usually have a much longer battery life than tablets,, since you’re just using them to write.
Using a stylus is totally up to you, but it can definitely help with functionality. Some tablets come with a stylus, while others will have them sold separately. If you’re looking at this from a cost perspective, consider the fact that the stylus will often be an added expense, but you may find it worth it for ease of use, especially if you’re the type that likes the feeling of writing out your notes rather than typing them.
The best note-taking apps let you digitize your notes and to-dos while keeping them all in one place or syncing them to a cloud. Our favorites are Notability, Evernote, GoodNotes 5, and even Apple’s free Notes app is a worthy choice.
Yes–the Apple Pencil can convert your handwritten notes into text for better legibility. Here’s how:
- In the Notes or Freeform apps, tap to show the tool palette.
- In the tool palette, tap the Handwriting tool (to the left of the pen).
- Write with Apple Pencil, and Scribble automatically converts your handwriting into typed text.
Actually, no. A writing tablet like the Amazon Kindle Scribe or the reMarkable Paper Pro are specifically made with writing in mind, and a paperlike screen and lag when flipping pages or swapping tools make it not an ideal device for drawing or sketching.
However, a traditional tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra would double as a good drawing tablet, since you can work on apps like Photoshop or Sketchbook with ease.
Recent updates
- In our May 2025 update, we added the reMarkable Paper Pro as a top pick, added more context on features of products, and added news about a recent study that shows people are more productive using E-ink tablets compared to computers.
Other tablets we’ve tested
Tablets Reviewed & Compared